A group of nurses are in a staff meeting on the unit headed by the new unit manager. The manager announces that nurses should not criticize and make fun of other nurses or there will be repercussions

Question

Several nurses at the meeting tell the manager that this type of situation should be handled by the individual nurses. The nurse manager should: 1. Insist that this is an appropriate new policy.
2. Recognize that the group has already defined behavioral norms.
3. Request a transfer to another unit.
4. Discipline the staff nurses who spoke out.

Answer 1

2. Recognize that the group has already defined behavioral norms.

Rationale:
Behavioral norms are established by the group or the leader of the group. In this case, the manager should recognize that the group does not see this as an issue because it has already established behavioral norms for it. The new manager should simply offer support for any nurse who is unable to resolve such interpersonal conflicts. Insisting on initiating the new policy could be harmful to the goals of the group as a whole. Rather than transfer, the manager could observe the dynamics of the group and adapt to the findings. Disciplining those who spoke out would negatively affect the cohesiveness of the entire group.